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JUNE 2022
To the Dad Who Always Showed Up HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
My dad was an avid athlete and baseball player. In fact, he was a high-level baseball player. He didn’t just enjoy the game — he excelled at it. You can imagine, then, how ironic it was that his two children would actually really stink at baseball and choose to play soccer instead. But that didn’t matter to my dad. He made a point of showing up for every practice and game, never pressuring my sister or me to play baseball or even be an athlete. This Father’s Day, I want to recognize just how lucky I was and still am to have a dad like mine. That’s a little strange for me to write. You see, my dad and I aren’t the “sappy” types, but my dad taught me that really loving and appreciating someone means you show up for them on a daily basis. I could always count on my dad. Whether it was driving me all around the Southeast to soccer tournaments, taking me to major league baseball games, NFL games and college football games, or college university tours, my dad always stepped up to the plate and put my interests before his own interests. There was the time when I was moving from Atlanta to Memphis to start law school, and my dad woke up at 4:45 a.m. and drove from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Atlanta — which is a nearly three-hour drive — pick me up, load up all my stuff onto a U-Haul with me, and move me into my new space in Memphis. He didn’t question it, and I never had to beg. It was just understood and guaranteed. My dad always showed up for me. I also credit my dad with teaching me lessons I’ve applied to my law practice. My dad spent most of his career as a successful insurance salesman. My dad is definitely “Mr. Personality” and really connects with all kinds of people. He’s so personable and social and generally “happy go lucky” that it was obvious to me that everyone he encountered loved talking to him. I think his infectious personality is what made him so good at his job. That being said, I also remember him telling me stories about how political things could be in the corporate world, so he was definitely supportive of my decision to start my own firm instead of working at a big law firm and always encouraged me to do my own thing. He taught me the value of taking matters into my own hands and not being dependent on others. Granted, there are times when you have to ask for help, but Dad also showed me that there is tremendous value in forging your own independence. It’s what drives the work I do at the firm!
To top it all off, as if he wasn’t already a great father, my dad is a fun person. He’s a Vietnam War veteran who doesn’t shy away from telling stories of his time in the war. He can recall details from 40 years ago as if they just occurred yesterday. This was pretty cool for me because he would tell me stories about his parents growing up and plenty of stories about my mom’s dad, Grandpa Bruce, who was a legendary attorney in Akron, Ohio. One of the things I admire the most about my dad is that he doesn’t let bad things that happen to him distract him from moving forward. He has an uncanny ability to shake things off and view everything in a positive light. I’ve rarely, if ever, heard him complain about much, and when bad things do happen, he generally just says, “That’s life in the fast lane!”
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We may not be sappy, but my dad and I share a love of nostalgia. Sharing stories is how my dad does that, and I fall into that pattern. I really enjoy listening to my dad’s stories, and I’m often nostalgic of pieces from my own life, too.
I know Father’s Day isn’t easy for everyone. My hope is that those of you who are missing your father or maybe don’t have a traditional father situation can find a way to celebrate. If my dad has taught me anything, it’s that fatherhood has little to do with where you come from and everything to do with the person who was cheering for you at every soccer game — even when they preferred baseball instead. He taught me the very valuable lesson of not dwelling on bad luck or unfortunate circumstances, which requires mental toughness, something that comes in very handy as an attorney. However, the most important lesson I learned from my dad, which I extol on a daily basis for my clients and my staff, is to show up every day for them. Your actions speak louder than your words, so do what you say you’re going to do.
My sister and I learned a lot from our dad. We were taught the value of teamwork from playing sports like our athletic father, and we learned how to tell a good story. We also saw the ways in which a story can connect people together. But perhaps the biggest lesson of all, and the one I am most appreciative of my father for, is that being a father — or a human who cares for another human — is all about showing up. I was lucky to have that with both of my parents.
Happy Father’s Day, Dad.
Dodging a Lawsuit
HOW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES HELP MITIGATE RISK OF LAWSUITS
Policies and procedures are an essential part of any organization or business. The right documentation will keep operations running smoothly and mitigate the risk of future lawsuits, if any. Though policies and procedures are often mentioned together, they do play different roles from one another. Policies are the foundation of an organization’s decision-making and highlight the framework of day-to-day activities, whereas procedures provide employees with the steps or processes they need to ensure policies are being followed. These will guarantee that an organization pays proper attention to any and all business concerns. Creating Policies and Procedures When writing policies and procedures, it is important to keep them simple, general, and relevant. It should contain jargon-free, precise writing and can be easily understood by any and all communities. A great way to obtain that information is to break it down into scannable chunks that aren’t complex. Generally, businesses cannot contemplate every possible scenario that could happen. A business’s policies and procedures should be written broadly but with enough clarification to apply to varying situations. Keeping the policies and procedures accessible and general to employees will ensure they are being followed correctly rather than trying to remember the steps off the top of their head.
circumstances does it apply, how to execute the procedure, and why it actually exists. When these policies and procedures are in place, it reduces the risk of lawsuits by setting a plan in motion for employees to follow properly and effectively, which will make clients and their feedback feel recognized.
Reviewing and Enforcing Policies and Procedures Using policies and procedures gives employees a well-rounded view of what is acceptable and how to achieve them properly. When practices deviate from policies and procedures, it may mean that a business needs to better communicate them or that they are possibly outdated. In order to keep those up to date, a business needs to take into consideration any new regulations, standards, or structural changes that may occur. Businesses can enforce this by sending out policy updates and procedure changes or incorporating them into training sessions for better understanding. Documenting policies and procedures takes work, but having the proper coverage can help your business in the long run. For more information or details about setting up policies and procedures, contact us today or visit DouglassRunger.com to learn more.
In the sense of relevancy, these policies and procedures should be able to address the who, when, what, how, and why: who can it affect, when and what
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The Power of Peer Network Groups AND WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN ONE Networking and sharing experiences can be a critical part of our personal and professional lives. Change is great and makes for new challenges, but sometimes it can be difficult to go about it alone. Whether in business or life, there may be times we need to seek advice from someone whose experience we respect and value. Peer networking broadens the horizon by expanding the knowledge and understanding of the group and its participants as a whole. Peer Group Relationships Opening the door to peer networking can help one feel more comfortable in seeking advice and opinions from others. Each member contributes and brings value to the group by sharing their knowledge and experience, whether that be positive or negative. It gives new insight and feedback to those seeking consultation, all while in a safe space with no judgment. This, in turn, creates a foundation of trust where the participant can confidently consider different approaches from their peers. Many minds are better than one, and tapping into that collective knowledge and experience can offer a new method to use or go about in ways that may have gone unnoticed. Being part of a peer networking group can create a strong foundation for professional relationships that can last for years. It can be personally and professionally rewarding to participate, share, learn, and collaborate in a community context. Participants gain valuable insight to keep things sharp, engaged, and connected. This also allows peers to be aware of mistakes and how to avoid them. Learning from peers can help one know what to look for and how to execute a plan properly, if need be. These relationships can be a great resource for finding new directions that may help with a business desire or issue. Peer Networking Groups In Business A beneficial aspect of peer networking is the exchange of ideas and information concerning the business world. Participants can get firsthand experience with new technologies, products, or even unforeseen challenges that may arise in the future. It’s a great way to stay connected and informed, and can improve your own performance by taking advantage of outside perspectives.
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers
Inspired by RecipeRunner.com
Summer is here, and you know what that means: It’s time to break out the barbecue and meat skewers!
INGREDIENTS For the Marinade • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
For the Skewers • 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes • 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp honey • Juice of 1 lime • 3/4 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp salt
DIRECTIONS
1. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. In a reusable freezer bag, combine cubed chicken and all but 1/4 cup of the marinade. 3. Seal bag and massage marinade into the chicken. Chill in the fridge overnight. 4. The following day, preheat the grill to 400 F. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, adding two cubes of chicken for each cube of pineapple. 5. Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade in the final minutes. 6. Serve over rice or with your favorite barbecue sides! INSPIRATION “Build your own
Joining a peer network group can be intimidating, but it truly helps broaden your horizon with different perspectives.
dreams or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” —Farrah Gray
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Advertising Material
Inside This Issue 1 Celebrating My Father This June 2 Documenting Policies and Procedures 3 Opening Opportunities With Peer Networking
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers
4 Father’s Day Gift Guide
It’s Dad’s Day! 6 GIFTS DAD IS SURE TO LOVE
Apple Watch Strap Does the dad you’re celebrating own an Apple Watch? If so, help him customize it with a new Apple Watch strap. You can choose from many materials, colors, and designs so he can blend in or stand out as much as he wants. A New Cooler Men love their coolers — it’s a foolproof Father’s Day gift! Whether Dad loves to camp, fish, tailgate, go to the beach, or barbecue in the backyard, he’s sure to appreciate a new way to store ice, drinks, food, or bait! Tool Bucket Organizer Is your dad a bit of a handyman? Help him get organized and never lose track of his tools again. Tool bucket organizers come in many forms and, again, can be purchased right online, making your shopping easy! Bluetooth Headphones or Speakers If your father doesn’t have Bluetooth headphones or speakers yet, he’s missing out. The opportunity to jam out wirelessly while working out, cutting the grass, doing hobby work, or just relaxing is effortless with this thoughtful gift.
Dad is a very important person in your life! Every year when Father’s Day rolls around, it can be tough to come up with the perfect gift, whether it be for your dad, a new father, your grandfather, or a father figure. Getting creative can be tricky, but this list is sure to help you with an idea or two for all different price ranges!
Wallet Why not go really classic and opt for a thoughtful and practical gift? Most men’s wallets see a lot of wear and tear. After all, they’re sat on, toted around in pockets all day long, and sometimes forgotten about and sent through the wash. A new one just may be in order! Massage Gun Massage guns are rising in popularity. To help Dad recover from soreness and injury or just a tough workout, a massage gun will do the trick! The best part is that they range in price, and you can even purchase one on Amazon!
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